vinkel, noun

/ˈfəŋk(ə)l//ˈfɪŋk(ə)l/
Forms:
finkel, vinkelsShow more Also finkel, occasionally vinkels, and (formerly) fenkel.
Origin:
Afrikaans, DutchShow more Afrikaans, adaptation of Dutch venkel fennel.
1. The fleshy, aromatic root of Chamarea capensis (family Apiaceae); usually combination vinkelbol/-bɔl/ [Afrikaans, bol bulb], vinkelwortel/-ˌvɔrtəl//-vɔːt(ə)l/ [Afrikaans, wortel root (see quotation 1966)], in the same sense.
1790 tr. of F. Le Vaillant’s Trav. II. 85I found an equal relief in two other roots of the size of one’s finger, but exceedingly long...They are to be met with in the colonies, where they are known, one under the name of anys-wortel, and the other under that of vinkel-wortel.
[1837 Ecklon & Zeyher Enumeratio Plantarum Africae 346Chamarea capensis...Incolis: ‘Fenkel-wortel.’]
1868 W.H. Harvey Genera of S. Afr. Plants 139C[arum] Capense, Sond., our only species, has a fleshy aromatic root (Fenkel-wortel), a branching stem.
1913 C. Pettman Africanderisms 168Fenkel wortel,..The fleshy, aromatic roots of Carum Capense, Sond.
1924 L.H. Brinkman Glory of Backveld 53Soon she had several beds planted with kanibro, barrol, gaap, nqom, vleiroots and finkel. All these are delicacies highly prized by the natives, and even Europeans enjoy eating them, especially finkel, which is a sweet, deliciously-flavoured root, pure white and resembling a long white radish.
1966 C.A. Smith Common Names 484Vinkelbol, Chamerea (Carum) capensis. Rootstock an aromatic tuber, often more or less cylindric-oblong or bulbous-based, with a somewhat cylindric neck...The tuber has an aromatic taste, suggestive of fennel...Both Europeans and Hottentots formerly dug up the tubers which were used medicinally.
2. The bushy, erect, annual herb Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), with a flavour similar to aniseed.
1913 C. Pettman Africanderisms 534Venkel,..Foeniculum officinale, known in England as Sweet fennel.
1947 L.G. Green Tavern of Seas 199Vinkel, another famous shrub, is guaranteed to keep fleas away if you place a branch under your bed.
1966 C.A. Smith Common Names 484Vinkel(bossie), Foeniculum vulgare...Formerly..the fruits were used as a flavouring for cakes, buns etc. and are frequently chewed by children on account of the aromatic taste.
1972 L.G. Green When Journey’s Over 142When he went out after the rare showers and collected vinkel and geelwortel it reminded him of his childhood.
1977 S. Afr. Panorama Oct. 12The green salads comprised interesting things like fennell (better known in South Africa as ‘vinkel’ — ‘vinkel en koljander’), endive, coss and American spinach.
1988 Smuts & Alberts Forgotten Highway through Ceres & Bokkeveld 184Vinkels (fennel), again, gives you a flat leaf, like this, and white food like a root, down into the ground, it’s sweet as honey.
The fleshy, aromatic root of Chamarea capensis (family Apiaceae); usually combination vinkelbol/-bɔl/ [Afrikaans, bol bulb], vinkelwortel/-ˌvɔrtəl//-vɔːt(ə)l/ [Afrikaans, wortel root (see quotation 1966)], in the same sense.
The bushy, erect, annual herb Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), with a flavour similar to aniseed.
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vink, nounn.vint, verb intransitivev.
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